A 22-year-old man was taken into custody in southern Utah after authorities say he confessed to killing conservative commentator Charlie Kirk while Kirk was speaking at Utah Valley University.
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox announced the capture Friday, saying, "Good morning, ladies and gentlemen — we got him," and identifying the suspect as Tyler Robinson. Robinson was arrested around 10 p.m. Thursday after a manhunt that stretched more than a day, officials said.
Police said Kirk, 31, a conservative activist known for campus speaking events, was struck by a single bullet in the neck on Wednesday while addressing a crowd at the public university in Orem. Kirk collapsed immediately after being shot and later died. Authorities identified Robinson as the main suspect and said he allegedly confessed to the killing after his arrest.
Officials said the suspect arrived on the UVU campus in a gray Dodge Challenger and opened fire. They described the clothing Robinson wore at the scene as a plain maroon T-shirt, light-colored shorts, a black hat with a white logo and light-colored shoes, and said he was wearing clothing consistent with that outfit when detained.
Gov. Cox and other investigators said that shell casings recovered at the scene bore engraved messages. Cox cited engravings he said included the words "Hey Fascists, Catch!" alongside arrow symbols and another message reading, "If You Read This You Are Gay LMAO." Cox also said one engraving referenced the Italian anti-fascist song "Bella Ciao." Authorities have not confirmed a motive.
Robinson, who officials said was a student at Utah State University on a scholarship, remained at large for roughly 33 hours before his arrest. The state had offered a $100,000 reward for information leading to the suspect's capture, according to officials. FBI Director Kash Patel called the arrest "historic," saying the manhunt had been brought to an end within 33 hours.
Social media images unearthed by news outlets show Robinson in a 2017 Halloween costume as President Donald Trump in a post shared by his mother, at a time when Robinson would have been about 14. Family social media also shows vacation photos and images celebrating his admission to college. Gov. Cox told reporters family members said Robinson had become "more political in recent years" and recalled incidents in which Robinson mentioned Kirk was coming to UVU and expressed dislike for him.
The suspect's family home is in Washington, Utah, roughly 260 miles south of Orem. Officials said Robinson lives with family members and had been treated as a person of interest following the shooting. Authorities said charges have been filed and that, if convicted, Robinson could face the death penalty.
President Donald Trump, speaking publicly about the case, said someone "very close" to the suspect provided the tip that led to the arrest, and he described the tipster as a minister and a father. "It was a minister who was involved with law enforcement… his good friend is a top U.S. Marshal — and they took it from there," Trump said. Trump said he hopes the suspect will be found guilty and receive the death penalty.
Investigators with local police, the FBI and other federal partners worked on the manhunt, authorities said. Officials have urged the public to allow law enforcement to complete their investigation and to refrain from speculation as charges proceed through the courts.
Kirk was a prominent conservative voice who founded Turning Point USA and frequently spoke on college campuses. His death has intensified debates over political violence and safety at public events. As the case moves forward, prosecutors will present evidence to a grand jury and determine charges; court proceedings and formal charges will clarify the specific counts the suspect will face and the evidence supporting them.
Authorities have not released additional details about the alleged confession or the precise timeline of the suspect's movements after the shooting. They said the investigation is ongoing and asked anyone with relevant information to contact law enforcement.